UP Warriorz vs Gujarat Giants WPL 2023 Highlights: Grace Harris, Sophie Ecclestone Help UP Warriorz Seal Thrilling 3 Wicket Win

UP Warriorz were looking down and out, they were reduced to seven wickets none of the batters could make an impact expect Kiran Navgire’s fifty although they scored 70 runs in the last 28 balls to seal a thrilling victory over Gujarat Giants. The Giants have now lost two matches in a row, they had this victory in their hands but it wasn’t to be, UP Warriorz make their debut in WPL 2023 with a cracking win!

UP Warriorz have done it! What a comeback! Miraculous victory from Alyssa Healy’s side. Grace Harris and Sophie Ecclestone have helped UP Warriorz register a nail-biting win over Gujarat Giants. The Warriorz win by 3 wickets, a six on the last ball by Grace to seal the thrilling win.

Harris is nearing her fifty, more drama as UP Warriorz come closer and Gujarat Giants miss a glorious chance to inflict a run-out. The Warriorz looked dead at one point in time although they are right back in this one. UP Warriorz 164/7 with 3 balls left, six needed to win.

Just six balls remain, Sutherland is introduced into the attack and Harris dispatches one into the stands! Nervousness all around, UP Warriorz looked out of this contest but Harris and Ecclestone have they right on the edge. A wide delivery and Sutherland is also feeling the pressure now. UP Warriors 158/7, they need 12 runs in 5 balls.

Oh my my what a turnaround, Ecclestone launches one into the stands and Gardner looks on in disbelief, Harris and Ecclestone keeping their side in this contest. UP Warriorz reach 150-run mark.

An eventful over from Garth finally comes to an end with 20 runs coming from it. A no-ball and a free-hit on the last ball, but thankfully no damage done as UP Warriorz need 33 to win from 12 balls. UP Warriorz 137/7 in 18 overs. 

Grace Harris dispatches the last ball of Tanuja Kanwar’s over into the stands, and Sutherland is introduced into the attack again. Ecclestone also chips in with a boundary, Harris then takes it upon herself with a late cut down the covers, breaches the field and Garth is proving to be a little expensive in this one. Another boundary down the park, followed by a delightful dink over the wicketkeeper. 4 boundaries from this over, 17 runs and still a ball to go.

Annabelle Sutherland has been a handy contributor today, she gives away just 7 runs and gets the wicket of Devika Vaidya in her over. UP Warriorz are slowly starting to feel the pressure of the scoreboard, and they are 7 wickets down. UP Warriorz 107/7 after 16 overs.

UP Warrioz are starting to crumble now, Sutherland strikes and gets rid of Devika Vaidya. None of the Warriorz batters have got going today apart from Navgire and their struggles continue. Gujarat Giants right on top in this one. UP Warriorz 105/7 after 15/4 overs. 

Another team that chose to bat edging close to a win? Gujarat Giants in the driving seat now with UP Warriorz six wickets down. Just 4 runs from Tanuja’s 14th over, after which Ashleigh Garnder delivers a good over with just 8 runs coming off it. UP Warriorz reach 100-run mark.

UP Warriorz 100/6 after 15 overs.

Garth completes a fifer, and now she’s on a hattrick, the Aussie pacer gets Simran on a duck and completes the second five-wicket haul of the WPL 2023. UP Warriorz in deep deep trouble now, can they find a way back?

UP Warriorz 88/6 after 13 overs. 

Garth gets her fourth wicket of the day, the Australian was reintroduced in the attack and she gets the very dangerous Kiran Navgire! UP Warriorz in deep trouble, 88/5 after 12.4 overs.

Mansi Sharma had been looking promising and her persistence pays off, Deepti Sharma gets bowled trying to hit the ball, completely misses the ball and the cross-bat effort sees the ball creep under the willow and rattle the bails.

UP Warriorz 86/4 after 12 overs. 

Kiran Navgire helps UP Warriorz fightback into the contest, she completes her fifty in 40 balls. On the very next ball, she tries to clear the boundary but fails to connect properly although the ball lands just shy of the fielder.

UP Warriorz 86/3 after 11.4 overs. 

Kiran Navgire edging closer to her fifty, she’s looking good but they need to keep an eye on the run-rate. The boundaries have slightly dried up and that could hurt UP Warrioz. 11 runs from the 11 over, UPW 81/3.

A boundary on the last ball of the over of Mansi Joshi, Kiran Navgire just four runs away from her fifty. They also reach fifty runs for the partnership with Deepti Sharma. Navgire has really helped UP Warriorz roar back into this contest after they were reduced to 20/3. UP Warriorz 70/3 after 10 overs. 

Skipper takes the responsibility herself for Gujarat Giants, Sneh Rana to Navgire and it has been an interesting battle. Navgire smacks one down the park! A full toss in the final ball of the over, just 9 runs from the over.

UP Warriorz 60/3 after 9 overs.

Keeping a close eye on the run rate, Navgire and Deepti trying to keep the runs coming. Ashleigh Gardner also bowling in good lines and length, the run-rate edging close to the 10-run per over mark slowly. A boundary from the over and just a single to end the over with 7 runs. UP Warriorz cross the 50-run mark. UPW 51/3 after 8 overs.

Navgire and Deepti are rotating the strike well, another boundary in the 7th over, 9 runs in total from Sutherland’s over as UP Warriorz edge closer to the 50-run mark. UP Warriorz 44/3 after 7 overs. 

Tanuja Kanwar with a good attempt to keep Kiran Navgire at bay, almost because the UP Warriorz batter smashes a six down the midwicket boundary. 9 runs from the final over of the powerplay. UPW 35/3 after 6 overs.